Hospitals in Pennsylvania have purchased several Tug robots. These haul carts to and fro, saving the nurse’s time and the administration’s dime. The robots are expected to save the hospital "$240,000 over five years."

Technically, the Tug is impressive. It hauls up to 500 pounds. It runs 10 hours on a 2 hour charge and automatically self-recharges. It navigates by combined mapping and dead-reckoning, said to be accurate within 3". The Tug communicates with staff, other Tugs, and the building elevators via wireless Ethernet. And it keeps on going, the Tug has a life-time of 5 years in the inhospitable hospital environment.

A company called Aethon makes the Tug. Aethon, a small business with 55 employees, was founded in 2000 and shipped its first Tug in 2003. For those readers in PA, you might check it out. They are hiring.